Germany's trade with the EU accession countries

On 1 May 2004 ten countries will join the European Union. Because of the already concluded treaties between the joining countries and EU, the product flows in important fields of internationally traded goods have expanded strongly so that a major portion of the economic effects of extensive free trade has already been achieved by the markets. For 2004 a growth of German exports to these countries will average 3%, and for 2005 growth of 2.3% is predicted. For goods imported from the EU accession states an average increase of 9.7% is expected for 2004 and 8% for 2005. If the forecast proves correct, Germany's balance of trade balance with the EU accession states will be negative in the coming years for the first time.